i'm happy to let all of you know that i'm trading in my sports bras and elastic, waist banded gym pants for real, grown up, work clothes! what does this mean? i've taken another position, same company, in the People Services organization (otherwise known as HR in other companies) as a Benefits Analyst. this will be a huge change for me, but one i have prayed and prayed (and prayed) about.
thus far, i've presented this as an easy decision. NOT! this week has been a roller coaster FULL of emotions. j + i worked and worked on the 'right' decision. i have been ready to do something beyond fitness & recreation and get more into the business side of the corporate world. here was my opportunity, but also a small chance that i could stay at home with my children - most mama's dream. we were split seconds away from going with that one until i had a wonderful discussion with my sister who put it all into perspective to me. (i literally don't know what i would have done without her, her time, and her wisdom. she helped me beyond belief.) bottom line, the economy is weak, and only getting weaker and the time isn't right. what if j lost his job? what if the car industry goes down and doesn't come back for years? this is how j makes a living - R&D for the auto industry. a risk taker, i am not. poor, i'm not willing to be. so - i've embraced this opportunity and refuse to look back.
i'm excited, anxious, nervous, and quite frankly eager for this new position. it's a promotion that came with wonderful support from upper management, which always feels good. in this role, i'll be working with the dental, vision, life, medical, and wellness benefit plans for the employees. it will be a lot of vendor management and relationship building. it's all totally new to this PE major. i've always known of people working in a field completely unrelated to their degree...and now that's me! woo hoo! i truly feel that this expands my resume in a way that i couldn't see a year ago.
the hardest part of this transition is that the people who have made my days wonderful at work are not my direct co-workers anymore. these people have become an extended family to me. they have watched me grow and experience the best 5 years of my life. i'll also have a completely different surrounding (a desk job) and one that doesn't interface with loads of people all day. that'll take time to get used to...along with fixing my hair and applying make-up each day (a complete change) and wearing 'real' clothes. oh my...a real grown up, i'll be.
well, be thinking of me as i go through a big transition. this decision has truly occupied every bit of me (and j) that exists and it just feels good to have it behind us. i'm blessed to have the support of j, my family, and all of my co-workers/friends! your kind words have tremendously comforted me.
now - off to buy some work clothes! and i think i forgot to mention that i won't be working dinosaur hours any longer - regular hours. 2 more days of the 4am alarm clock! yippee! 6am never sounded so good!